Has a serious investment in dog equipment such as puppy pens, crates and grooming tables and knows how to use it.

Even when selling “just pets,” may produce AKC papers or “championship pedigree” as proof of quality. Yet seller doesn’t increase own knowledge through participation in national or local breed club. Doesn’t show own dogs to “prove” quality.

Belongs to local or national breed club, indicating a love for sport of dogs. Exhibits own dogs as an objective test of how stock measures up.

May be unwilling to show buyer entire litter or to introduce dam of litter. Can’t or won’t compare/critique pups or pups ancestors.

Prices will be at high end of local range, not cut-rate. Price won’t reflect all that is invested in pups.

No concern for the future of individual pups or breed as a whole. Doesn’t use AKC’s limited registration option or ask for spay/neuter contract to guard against breeding of substandard pets. If you can’t keep pup, tells you to take it to dog pound or sell it.

After purchase, will help with grooming or training problems. Will take back pup you can’t keep rather than see it disposed of inappropriately. Sells pets with spay/neuter agreement or limited AKC registration.

Please Breed Responsibly

Never breed any animal that has temperament problems. In particular, this has been the cause of the degeneration of many breed’s general temperament: Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, and so on. If your animal is untrustworthy around people, overly aggressive to people, excitable, or is a fear-biter, do not breed it. If it is shy or submissive, don’t breed it. Look for happy, confident and obedient animals, and consider carefully the particular temperament requirements for your dog’s breed.

There are a variety of tests to indicate a dog’s temperament. Many of the working breeds have a temperament test (for example, the Doberman’s WAC test) for their breed. AKC has a Canine Good Citizen test (open to all dogs) that gives some indication of the dog’s temperament (and, yes, training). Therapy Dogs International and other Therapy Dog clubs have temperament testing that does try to separate out actual temperament from training. Obedience titles can be (but are not necessarily) an indication of good temperament.